POLITICAL NOTES

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2476, 24 May 1888, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES

lIV TJiliEOllAL'll. — OWN' 0 )K!Li:nI'(INL)HNT.] WEllington, Wednesday. . POSITION OF THE COLONY.

Thk injudicious statement, which was wrongly attributed to the AttorneyGeneral over the Loan Bill, is still oxcrcising the minds of certain members. Tha member for Kumara asked whether tins Government intended sending homo a cablegram to the Agent-General, to the olFect that the Attorney-General denied the correctness of the statement said to have been made by him. Sir Harry Atkinson replied that ho should certainly not do so, as hi; should probably in that case have to send home many other cablegrams in refutation of the statements against the credit of the colony, THE ELECTORAL BILL. Strong opposition is still being manifested towards this Bill by members on both sides of the House, and a meeting of Government supporters is to be held for the purpose of discussing the more objectionable portions of the Bill. Some country members complain that the new Bill would put too much power into the hands of the town representatives to the detriment of those seeking election for country districts. Tho 'Radical members strongly oppose the payment of 0110 shilling for voters' rights every three years. CIVIL SERVICE DISMISSALS. A large number of petitions are being received from civil sonants who have suffered from the retrenchment policy, and a committee is about to be moved for by the I'romier, to which all such petitions shall be referred. UNFOUNDED RUMOUR. A sensational paragraph appears in the Press to-night to the elfeet that tho Government to-day received a cablegram from the Imperial Authorities stating that war in Europe is imminent, and giving instructions in the case of hostilities breaking out. The report caused a great sensation in tho Lobbies, and Mr O'Gallagham asked the Government just before the House rose for the. dinner adjournment whether there was any truth in it. Mr Fergus said he was happy to be able to relieve the minds of hon. members, is there was no truth whatever in the rumour. Neither the Governor or any member of the Ministry had received any intimation of it. ROMAN CATHOLIC SCHOOLS. The Bill introduced by Mr Pyke provides that every Roman Catholic school that is conducted in accordance with the Education Act, 1877, and regulations under it in respect of the qualification of teachers attendance at school, course of instruction and inspection, shall be deemed to bo a public school within the meaning of the Act, and shall be entitled to receive capitation allowance equal to two-thirds of the allowance granted to public schools.